Merlin to Bewitch Facebook Users in New Game

A new video game adaptation of the hit BBC TV show Merlin will soon be available for Facebook users to play with their friends.

Created by Bossa Studios, whose previous titles include the BAFTA-winning Monstermind, the upcoming RPG will focus on capturing the epic story of the TV series and merging it with real-time, multiplayer gameplay.

[Editor's note: Bossa Studios is owned by British media company Shine Group, who itself is a wholly owned subsidiary of News Corp, who also owns IGN Entertainment.]

Bossa Studios' creator in chief Imre Jele said, "We have carefully crafted the game to capture the very essence of the world’s most famous sorcerer. Players can explore magical lands while adventuring alongside trusty allies in the Crystal Cave, knocking out ferocious Wilddeoren rats or uniting with one of their favourite characters like Merlin or Arthur."

Merlin The Game will take place in the same universe as the TV show (even featuring the same original music), and players will be able to quest as their own knight or magician until they're strong enough to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the likes of Merlin and Arthur. The game will allow players a large degree of flexibility when creating characters, so if you're not entirely sold on the rigid melee playstyle of the knight you can mix and match it with spells from the magician.

Bossa Studios has been working with the creators of the show to make sure that everything is authentic, as Imre explained, "We wanted to make a game driven by story in a fantasy setting, and centring it around Merlin made sense; it's an amazing brand worldwide because everyone knows it.

"We've been given all of the set designs and the costumes, and a wealth of resources to play with. We've got complete freedom... as long as we don’t kill their lead characters!"

Exit Theatre Mode

Despite the fact that it's a Facebook game, everyone on the team is adamant that this doesn't mean it's only for casual gamers. Imre stresses, "I’m a hardcore player at home on my Xbox, but when I’m out and about I’m casual. We’ve focused on ensuring that hardcore players will find a lot of stuff to do here when not in front of their consoles, especially with the awesome story."

The game is expected to enter a closed beta this summer at Comic-Con International, which takes place on July 12-15, where the cast of the series will also be present to try out the game. Gamers and fans who want to step into Camelot to help test the game can do so by registering at the official site now.

Merlin The Game will launch later in the autumn to coincide with the start of the fifth series of Merlin on BBC One.